RBSE Class 10th New Guidelines: Board Exams to be Held Twice a Year
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New Guidelines Released for Rajasthan Board Class 10th: Exams to be Held Twice a Year Now
The Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan (BSER/RBSE), Ajmer has announced a historic and revolutionary change for the Secondary (Class 10th) and Praveshika examinations [1]. In line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the board has completely revamped the examination system [1]. According to the official office order issued by the board (No.: BSER/Academic/2026-27/2799-2813, dated 05-10-2026), several major changes are being implemented from the academic session 2026-27 [1].
If you are also a student, teacher, or parent of the Rajasthan Board, you must understand these important changes of the RBSE 10th Board Exam New Guidelines in detail [1]. At Patamde Study, we have brought the complete and accurate information of these new guidelines for you in simple language [1].
Board Examinations to be Conducted Twice in an Academic Session
Under the new rules, from the academic session 2026-27, the Secondary level and Praveshika examinations will be conducted twice in a single academic session [1]. Its main objective is to reduce the mental stress of students and provide them with another opportunity to improve their performance [1].
- First Board Exam (Main Exam): Like every year, this exam will be conducted between February and May (primarily in February-March) [1].
- Second Board Exam (Improvement Exam): This exam will be conducted in the month of May after the main exam [1].
Students who have passed the main exam but are not satisfied with their marks can appear in the Second Board Exam (Improvement Exam) to improve their performance [1]. Students can appear in this exam to improve their marks in a maximum of three subjects [1]. The best part is that while declaring the final result, the higher subject-wise marks obtained by the student in either of the two exams (Main and Second exam) will be considered to prepare the final exam result [1].
Farewell to 'Fail' and 'Supplementary' Words: Introduction of 'EI' and 'ER'
To protect students from mental depression and negativity, the Rajasthan Board has completely removed words like 'Fail' and 'Supplementary' from its marksheets [1]. Along with this, the old system of supplementary examinations has been abolished from the year 2026-27 [1]. Now, two new rules have been introduced in its place [1]:
1. Essential Improvement (EI)
Instead of declaring a student 'Supplementary' upon failing in English or any other subject in the main exam, if they secure less than the minimum passing marks (33 percent) in any two subjects, they will be placed under the Essential Improvement (EI) category [1]. Such students will be eligible to appear in the Second Board Exam (Improvement Exam) [1].
2. Essential Repeat (ER)
If a student remains absent in three or more subjects or secures less than the minimum passing marks (33 percent) in the first main exam, they will not be allowed to appear in the Second Board Exam [1]. The exam result of such students will be declared as Essential Repeat (ER) [1]. These students will have to re-appear for all subjects in the main exam of the next academic session [1].
Eligibility and Rules for the Improvement Exam (Second Exam)
The board has laid down some strict and clear rules for appearing in the Second Board Exam (Improvement Exam) [2]:
- Attendance in Main Exam is Mandatory: Only those students who appeared in the first main exam can sit for the second exam [2].
- Selection of Subjects: Class 10 and Praveshika students can appear for improvement in a maximum of any three subjects from the subjects selected in the main exam (Hindi, English, Science, Social Science, Vocational Education, and Third Language) [2]. Students will not be allowed to change subjects during the exam [2].
- Rules for Vocational Education: Students who have passed the practical exam of vocational subjects will not need to appear for the practical exam again in the second exam [2]. Their practical marks from the main exam will be carried forward [2]. However, students who failed the practical exam must appear for the practical in the second exam [2].
- Same Enrollment Number: The enrollment number (roll number) of the students will remain the same for both exams [2].
Facility of Provisional Admission in Class 11
The board has also provided relief in the admission process to save the academic year of the students [1].
Important Change: After the declaration of the main exam results, the performance of the students will be made available on Raj-e-Vault [1]. Based on this result, students who have secured less than the minimum passing marks in a maximum of two subjects (i.e., those who received EI) can be given Provisional Admission in Class 11 [1].
After this, when the students appear for the Second Board Exam (Improvement Exam) in the month of May and its result is declared, their admission will be made permanent upon passing [1]. If a student fails to secure the minimum 33 percent marks in any subject even after the second exam, their final result will remain 'Essential Repeat' (ER), and they will have to appear in the main exam of the next session again [1].
Rules for Syllabus, Internal Assessment, and Sessional Marks
The board has clarified the situation regarding the syllabus and evaluation system for conducting the Second Board Exam [2]:
- Full Syllabus: Both the main exam and the second board exam will be conducted based on the full syllabus prescribed for that academic session [2].
- Same Exam Scheme: The study plan and exam pattern will be completely identical for both exams [2].
- Internal Assessment Only Once: Internal Assessment will be conducted only once before the main exam, and those marks will be added to the final result [2].
- Sessional Marks: Sessional marks will also be sent by the school only during the main exam [2]. For private candidates, sessional marks will be determined in proportion to the marks obtained in the theory exam [2].
- Division in Final Result: In the consolidated result prepared after the second exam, instead of 'Essential Improvement' (EI), 1st Div, 2nd Div, 3rd Div, PASS will be marked for passing students, and Essential Repeat (ER) will be marked for those who fail [2].
Comparative Details of Major Changes
Through the table below, you can easily understand the difference between the old system and the new system implemented under the RBSE 10th Board Exam New Guidelines [1, 2]:
| Feature | Old System | New Guidelines (From Session 2026-27) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Annual Exams | There was only 1 main exam in a year, followed by a supplementary exam only for failed students [1]. | There will be 2 board exams in a year - First Main Exam (February-March) and Second Improvement Exam (May) [1]. |
| Opportunity for Improvement | There was a limited opportunity only for failed subjects. Passed students could not improve their marks immediately [1]. | Passed students can also appear in the improvement exam in a maximum of 3 subjects to better their performance [1]. |
| Terminology in Marksheet | The words 'Fail' and 'Supplementary' were used [1]. | The words 'Fail' and 'Supplementary' are completely abolished. Now, 'Essential Improvement' (EI) and 'Essential Repeat' (ER) will be used [1]. |
| Class 11 Admission Rules | Admission to the next class was granted only after the declaration and passing of the supplementary exam. | Even with lower marks in 2 subjects in the main exam, students can take provisional admission in Class 11 based on the Raj-e-Vault result [1]. |
| Sessional and Practical Marks | The process was different for the supplementary exam. | Internal assessment and sessional marks will be sent only once during the main exam, and the same marks will be valid in the second exam as well [2]. |
Special Provisions for Sports and Special Category (CWSN) Students
The board has also taken full care of the interests of sportspersons and Children with Special Needs (CWSN) [2, 3]:
- Relief for Sportspersons: If the sports dates of students participating in national and international sports competitions clash with the main exam, they will be specially allowed to appear in the Second Board Exam [2]. For this, they must inform the board in advance through their school head [3].
- Facilities for CWSN Students: Children with Special Needs (CWSN) will be provided with all necessary concessions and facilities in the Second Board Exam (Improvement Exam) just like in the main exam [3].
- Scrutiny (Review of Answer Sheets): The option to apply for Scrutiny will be available separately for students for both the main exam and the Second Board Exam [3].
Conclusion
This new examination system being implemented by the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan (RBSE) from the session 2026-27 is a highly progressive step taken in the interest of students [1]. This will not only reduce the stress of students but will also give them a golden opportunity to improve their marks without losing a year and secure timely admission in Class 11 [1].
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